Music is one of my love languages — listening to music together, sharing playlists, going to concerts: to me, the act of sharing music is a romantic gesture in itself. And with an estimated 100 million recorded songs, love songs are undoubtedly one of the most popular genres of music.
The topic of love and/or heartbreak is present in a majority of songs I listen to, and as Valentine’s Day approaches, I have found myself listening to more of them than usual. In celebration of the most romantic holiday of the year, here are five love songs that I believe capture the essence of love beautifully.
“Work Song” by Hozier
Hozier’s discography is the epitome of romance — passionate, sultry and emotional lyrics paired with beautiful vocals and melodies. “Work Song” from his debut studio album, "Hozier,” is no exception.
In the chorus, he sings, “When my time comes around/ Lay me gently in the cold dark earth/ No grave can hold my body down/ I’d crawl home to her,” and I can’t think of something more romantic than being so in love with someone that not even death can stop you from being with them.
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley
This one has got a kick to it. From his 1994 album, “Grace,” Buckley is in anguished nostalgia over a love that he lost. His stunning vocals and raw lyrics have a way of drawing out emotions you didn’t even know were there.
Every lyric of every verse is raw and potently sad, in the most romantic of ways. The almost seven-minute song begins gradually and softly and builds up to a dramatic, crashing climax with some of my favorite lyrics of all time.
“All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter/ It’s never over/ She’s the tear that hangs inside my soul forever,” is nothing short of a masterpiece.
“A Sunday Kind of Love” by Etta James
While “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” is full of yearning and regret, “A Sunday Kind of Love” is peaceful and soft, the kind of tune you hum along to on a Sunday morning while making pancakes in the kitchen with your significant other.
Released in 1960, Etta James conveys her desire for a long-lasting relationship, one that is more committed and, as she says, will “last past Saturday night.”
I love the song’s jazzy, laidback feel — the classic lyrics and melody make the tune feel timeless. One writer described James’ soulful voice as making “you feel like you’re being wrapped in a warm sun blanket,” and I couldn’t agree more.
“All Your’n” by Tyler Childers
As with most of the songs I love, I have memories and certain emotions attached to each of them that make them special to me. “All Your’n” off Tyler Childer’s 2019 album “Country Squire” will always remind me of summer: driving with the windows down at sunset after a long day at the lake, feeling the warm summer air and not having a care in the world. This song was almost always playing.
The country track has a similar notion to Hozier’s “Work Song,” a passionate declaration of unconditional love.
“So I’ll love you ‘til my lungs give out/ I ain’t lying/ I’m all your’n and you’re all mine,” Childers sings, ensuring to his lover that no matter what happens, the pair will always have each other, through thick and thin.
“Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty
It is my belief that it’s impossible to be in a bad mood if you’re listening to this song. “Real Love Baby” is a fun, folksy song about craving genuine love. The song has a very simplistic, repetitive chorus that always gets stuck in my head.
This track is much lighter and more carefree than other songs on the list, and I appreciate that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s always a great song to casually listen to and defies the notion that love songs are always sappy or slow.
This Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to get into the spirit and give these songs a listen.
